Moss Point digs up a way to prevent flooding on Rose Drive

Moss Point city officials announced Tuesday that relief is finally on the way.

Richardson said it doesn't take long for water to cover the street.

MOSS POINT, MS (WLOX) -

A flooding nightmare in one Moss Point area will soon come to an end. Mayor Billy Broomfield and the board of aldermen announced a plan on Tuesday to fix the flooding woes. Residents told me they are praying relief will actually come this time around.

Gloria Richardson has lived on Rose Drive for more than 40 years, and has some horror stories about the excessive flooding.

"When it rains, I am just stuck in," said Richardson.

Richardson said it doesn't take long for water to cover the street.

"Basically, it is just an open ocean," Richardson said.

Neighbor Bethew Jennings, who has lived on Rose Drive for more than four decades, agrees.

"It came in my front door right there, and you noticed that foundation is a good four inches off the driveway," Jennings said.

Jennings said the fast rising water on the street has caused his home to flood twice.

"One time, the fire department had to come and get us," said Jennings.

Stephanie Hills' home has flooded three times, and she said it feels like a nightmare every time it happens.

"It is really bad when it rains. We just can't get out. We can't use our toilets. We can't do anything. We are just stuck," said Hill.

Moss Point city officials announced Tuesday that relief is finally on the way.

"The City of Moss Point is proud to announce an award of $600,000 grant from FEMA to fund portions of the Rose Drive drainage project," Broomfield said.

Broomfield said the new plan will add more than one dozen additional drains and larger pipes in the area to alleviate flooding. The water will also be rerouted north to the Escatawpa River instead of running south.

"The water was doing what it should do. It was running to the road. The problem is when it got to the road, it had nowhere to go, because the drains were too small and there were not enough drains. Consequently, the water was ending up in your house," said Broomfield.

Residents said after living in this flooding nightmare for so long, they won't let their hopes get too high until construction begins.

"I want to see the first shovel load of dirt turned over, and then I will start believing it," said Jennings.

"We will see. We will wait and see," Hill said.

Moss Point officials said construction could start within three to six months. The project will take one year to complete.